Home hope Lewis Hamilton...

Home hope Lewis Hamilton revved up for SundayтЂ™s British Grand Prix in perfect style by setting the fastest lap time in last weekтЂ™s pre-event F1 test at superfast Silverstone.

Boasting some significant aerodynamic upgrades to his McLaren, the Brit outpaced all his rivals, including both of the Ferrari drivers.

тЂњIt was really encouraging,тЂќ said Hamilton, who has failed to score points since winning in Monte Carlo in May. тЂњThe changes weтЂ™ve made have improved the car and I think we have a great package. It feels strong around Silverstone and I canтЂ™t wait to be racing inТ  front of my home crowd.тЂќ

Last year, Lewis paid the price for skipping this important test and never managed to fine tune his chassis to the circuitтЂ™s high-speed sections. Now heтЂ™s clearly learned his lesson and starts this weekend with a fair degree of confidence after topping the time sheets in the final build-up.

тЂњI just want the fans and supporters to know that IтЂ™m working as hard as I can and so are my team,тЂќ insisted Lewis. тЂњI expect it will be very exciting тЂ“ itтЂ™s going to be one of the highlights of my career.тЂќ

McLarenтЂ™s improved form in testing has rattled cages at Ferrari. The Italian team won in 2007 and was expected to enjoy a slight advantage on Sunday. Last yearтЂ™s victor Kimi Raikkonen is certainly expecting a tight battle between the two scarlet Ferraris and the revamped silver McLarens of Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen.

тЂњI think itтЂ™s going to be close,тЂќ he admitted. тЂњI donтЂ™t see the other teams challenging for the win, but with McLaren itтЂ™s going to be tight. We were strong here last year, and the car is good, so we have a decent chance.тЂќ